Trump Seeks Emergency Court Ruling To Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

The Trump administration has requested an emergency ruling from a federal appeals court to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position by Monday, ahead of the central bank’s upcoming interest rate vote. This follows President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Cook on August 25, 2025, which was blocked by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb on September 9, ruling the dismissal illegal and reinstating Cook to the Fed’s board.

The administration’s action stems from allegations that Cook committed mortgage fraud by claiming two properties as primary residences in July 2021, before her 2022 appointment to the Fed. Such claims could secure lower mortgage rates and down payments compared to declaring a property as a rental or second home. Cook has denied the allegations. Judge Cobb ruled that the Federal Reserve Act’s “for cause” removal provision applies only to misconduct during a governor’s tenure, not prior actions, rendering Trump’s attempt invalid.

In its appeal, the administration argues that Cook’s alleged pre-tenure actions question her trustworthiness and ability to oversee monetary policy. The emergency request seeks to reverse Cobb’s ruling before the Federal Open Market Committee meets on September 16–17, when it is expected to cut the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point to approximately 4.1%. The outcome could influence the Fed’s independence, a principle critical to its role in managing inflation and economic stability.

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The case may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously signaled the Fed’s unique quasi-private status. Cook, the first Black woman Fed governor, remains on the board pending further legal proceedings, as the administration pushes to reshape the central bank’s leadership before the critical rate-setting meeting.

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